Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 box of Borax {4 lb}

1 box of Super Washing Soda {4 lb - I could only find a 3 lb 7 oz box}

1 box of Baking Soda {4 lb}

1 container of Oxi Clean {1.3 lb}

3 bars of Zote {Other suggestions include Dr. Bronner, Kirk's Castile, Fels Naptha or Ivory soap}

Shred the soap and mix all ingredients well. I stored ours in a 2 gallon glass container from Walmart.

Directions: Two round tablespoons of detergent per load. Makes approximately 150 loads. *If you have a HE washer, you will use less detergent and you should check your manual for instructions on using powdered detergent.

We tested the mixture out on a load of towels and felt satisfied with the cleaning power and scent. The recipe we used does not include Oxi Clean. I decided to include a small container for extra cleaning power. Next time I would use Oxi Clean Free which has no dye, perfume or chlorine and comes in a 3 lb container. I chose the white Zote soap {it also came in pink where I bought it} because I figured there'd be less dye in white. If you know me, then you know how hard it was for me to not chose the pink! LOL The recipe I used and adapted was from A Bowl Full of Lemons.

When I originally made the mixture we still had liquid detergent to finish which is why it took so long for me to post this. We've now used the homemade detergent for about two weeks and as Husband says "I've got nothing bad to say about it." When I first told B I wanted to make my own detergent, I think he was a little skeptical of the time it takes to make the detergent, cost and effectiveness. It seems to be working and cleaning the clothes. I've been smelling the clothes as I take them out of the washer and everything smells fresh, lightly of the clean soap smell. I would definitely not be putting it on my blog if I didn't think it was worth sharing and trying out for yourself. Trust me, I've had my fair share of  recipes that don't make it on here because it's not up to my high standards. Ha! I kid but not really. :) Poor B is my taste tester, we've eaten our fair share of bland m&m cookies. Still looking for the perfect recipe...

I hope you will give this homemade detergent recipe a try and come back and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear from you.

xo

Ashley Kozell